Vistry Group, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, was joined by stakeholders from South Derbyshire District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council and Staffordshire County Council to celebrate the start of work on the new bypass and road bridge in Walton-on-Trent.
Phil McHugh Divisional Director of Vistry North West Midlands, said: “I want to extend a big thank you to the four local authorities, Environment Agency and numerous other stakeholders who have been instrumental in getting us to this important milestone. The new Walton bridge will provide much improved transport links across the River Trent for both current and future residents alike.
“The bridge and bypass scheme forms an important part of our Dracan Village Development and shows that Vistry is committed to doing more than regenerating the former Drakelow power station into 2,000 beautiful new homes.
“We are building a new community providing investment in education, healthcare, and highways as well as building new infrastructure including a local centre, a new school later this year and large areas of public open space with play areas along with the new bridge which will really drive employment and economic growth in the region.”
The new bridge and bypass will provide vital two-way vehicular access over the River Trent, replacing the inadequate one-way bailey bridge which has acted as a bottle neck for traffic in the area for many years.
The new bridge will provide better access for current inhabitants and for the 2,000 current and expected residents of the new development on the site of the former Drakelow power station.
Justin Ives, CEO at South Derbyshire District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the start of the new bridge at Walton, this vital piece of infrastructure will not only assist the residents of the new development at the former Drakelow power station but also relieve congestion for the entire area”
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said: “We are pleased work has started on this long-awaited new bridge and that it will be completed as soon as possible, as we know it will provide an important additional route over the Trent for local communities.”
Cllr Michael Fitzpatrick, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “I was delighted to be invited to this ‘commencing event’, a milestone reached at long last. Along with our local authority partners, stakeholders and engineering experts it was great to see that diggers have indeed broke the ground, and a spade of course.
“An exciting village is starting to emerge and with much needed homes and the infrastructure and community facilities planned, I can only welcome and support the significant progress made. I would like to thank Vistry for their vision and commitment to delivery.
“I am very grateful for the work of our planning teams in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire who working together have, in a relatively short time, turned proposals for this by-pass and bridge, into a deliverable scheme. It now seems highly likely that we will be invited to an opening ceremony in the very near future and this would be a momentous occasion.
“The economic, social and environmental benefits for our area, together with the relief for the residents of Walton, Dracon Village and for Stapenhill will be most welcomed. This will be the time, working with our Highway Authority, to restrict HGV traffic using our Stapenhill Main Street and Rosliston Road and at the same time protect the Leicester Line Bridge from the weight it has carried for several years.”
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, Philip White added: “I am pleased that Vistry Group is committing to the start of work on this very important piece of infrastructure, and I welcome the start of works. However, we are clear that there is still a lot to do to get the detailed design and approvals in place before we know it is safe, and that it will be built in its entirety.
“The county council will work tirelessly with partners to ensure the Vistry Group keeps its promises to the local community to build this bridge and that the cost and burden does not fall on local taxpayers.”
Vistry is already working in earnest on the bridge and anticipates seeing the main structure of the bridge installed later this year with the commissioning and opening to follow shortly after.
